European Commissioners push UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on World Oceans Day

Karmenu Vella, European Commissioner for the Envrionment, and Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs, have joined the French and German governments in backing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on World Oceans Day.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation has estimated that the world’s oceans will contain a higher tonnage of plastic than fish by 2050, and the Ocean Conservancy says eight million tonnes of plastic wash into the seas each year.

Plastic microparticles are eaten by plankton and filter feeders, working their way up the food chain to the fish eaten by people.

The commissioners said: “This year's theme, "Our oceans, our future" underscores the importance of oceans for ours and the generations to come. Oceans cover two-thirds of the surface of the Earth and are the foundations of life. Oceans store more than nine-tenths of the heat trapped on Earth by greenhouse-gas emissions and provide 3 billion people with almost a fifth of their protein… At the same time, oceans are at the centre of pressing global challenges such as climate change, marine litter, poverty, food security. The sustainable use of the oceans is threatened by illegal fishing, armed robbery and piracy against ships, while cooperation on maritime security is essential to guarantee safe and free navigation for international trade.

“The EU has taken a lead in creating a stronger system of ocean governance including better managing the oceans, reducing human pressure and investing in science. In this way, it can be ensured that marine resources are conserved and used sustainably, based on healthy eco-systems and providing for a thriving ocean economy.

The EU will host the fourth ‘Our Ocean’ Conference in Malta on 5-6 October 2017. It will engage with the international community, including the private sector, to take further commitments for oceans, in areas such as marine pollution, marine protected areas, climate change and sustainable fisheries.

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